Bad breath, or “halitosis,” if you want to get fancy, can leave a bad impression on anyone, whether you’re on a first date or in a crucial job interview. Fortunately, there are many ways to use your food to improve the odour of your radiant smile. The greatest approach to avoiding bad breath is to practice good dental hygiene, but what you eat can also have a significant impact. We all know that avoiding foods like onions and garlic will help you get rid of halitosis, but other factors are also at play. The sulphur compounds that cause bad breath are created by the bacteria in your mouth when they digest leftover food and dead cells, not by the flavours in the food itself. You may help eliminate those bacteria with these easy bad-breath cures, and you’ll be ready to impress your date, that employer, or anybody else who happens to catch a whiff.
What are the foods that fight bad breath?
- Fresh produce and fruits – Crunchy fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples, pears, carrots, and celery, aid in the production of saliva, eliminating the bacteria in your mouth that cause bad breath. Additionally, they are high in fibre and serve as a natural toothbrush as you eat. If you choose apples, you’ll get a triple dosage of bad-breath protection because, according to a study published in the Journal of Food Science, apples work to counteract the odours that raw garlic causes to induce bad breath.
- Probiotic yogurt – Good bacteria are present in probiotic yogurt, which can help fight off the bacterium that contributes to bad breath. According to research, people who had three ounces of sugar-free yogurt twice daily for six weeks had reduced levels of chemicals that cause germs.
- Parsley and basil – Both of these herbs include polyphenols, which are organic compounds that research has proven to be effective as treatments for foul breath. They contain much chlorophyll as well (more on that below). Parsley and basil create a delicious alternative taste combination, and they’re also a good way to prevent halitosis if you’re seeking the zest of garlic but don’t want your tongue to pay the price.
- Cherries – According to studies, the smell of methyl mercaptan, a gas that naturally appears in foods like onions and some cheeses and causes bad breath, is eliminated by cherries. The same thing happens with lettuce.
- Green tea – Studies have demonstrated that the natural antioxidant catechins abundant in green tea can help against the germs that cause bad breath. Green tea’s polyphenols have also been discovered to be quite beneficial, just as parsley and basil.
- Sugarless gum – Gum chewing aids in removing food particles and dead dental tissue from your teeth, which bacteria need to produce bad breath. However, sugar-sweetened gum can encourage additional dental deterioration; instead, try xylitol-sweetened gum.
- Citrus and melons – Vitamin C is well renowned for its healing properties, and your mouth is no exception. Citrus fruits, melons, and other vitamin C-rich foods help prevent gingivitis, which can cause halitosis and other dental health problems.
- Chlorophyll – Even while this pigment isn’t technically a food, you may find it in leafy green vegetables, including some on this list, or as a supplement at your neighbourhood health food store. Although it doesn’t completely get rid of bad breath, chlorophyll does assist in covering it up.
- Ginger – A substance found in ginger called 6-gingerol stimulates a salivary enzyme that aids in the breakdown of sulphur compounds in the mouth. Consider mixing warm water, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and pressed ginger for a quick mouthwash at home.
- Water – This one is simple yet essential. Drinking enough water will naturally wash away food scraps and dead skin cells, reducing the opportunity for germs that cause bad breath to grow in your mouth.
- Dark chocolate or cacao – The crucial word here is low-sugar content, just like gum. Due to its low sugar content, dark chocolate consumption reduces oral germs and prevents plaque buildup. By bolstering enamel, the substance CBH has been shown to prevent tooth decay. Cacao naturally contains CBH; however, the concentration decreases as it is processed to make chocolate. Do you recall the tea’s odour-fighting polyphenols? Garlic breath can be successfully eliminated thanks to the high catechin content of dark chocolate. If you find it too bitter, try incorporating cacao powder into your cereal or smoothie. Buy cacao powder, not cocoa powder, always. Although they have a similar appearance, cocoa powder has fewer nutrients due to its greater roasting temperature and frequent mixing with sugar.
What are the foods to avoid?
Here are the top five foods most likely to give you foul breath because prevention is always better than cure. Always remember that a thorough dental hygiene regimen is the best defence against bad breath.
For fresher breath, try using a tongue scraper every day and avoiding the items listed below since the tongue is the source of around 85% of mouth odours.
- Garlic
- Horseradish
- Milk
- Onions
- prepared tuna
What are the other ways to prevent bad breath?
- Clean your retainer or aligners – You might wear a retainer or a clear aligner. And if that’s the case, maintaining cleanliness is essential in the fight against halitosis. It’s best to put them in your smile for 5 minutes or soak them in water and mild liquid soap for 20 minutes. Avoid using toothpaste since it can harm the plastic. And before inserting them each time, brush and floss your teeth.
- Brush and floss after snacks – Yes, cleaning and flossing your teeth twice daily maintains them healthy, but that is the absolute least—brush and floss after eating as well to eliminate the reasons for foul breath throughout the day. Always carry a few floss picks and a disposable toothbrush with pre-pasted bristles with you.
Of all, overcoming bad breath is only the first step on the road to a healthier and brighter smile. To know more about the best foods that fight bad breath, call your best dentist Northeast Edmonton at Clareview Dental. Call us at 780-475-9216 to book an appointment.
